Slot machine and playing method thereof

ABSTRACT

A slot machine randomly determines transition to a special game, and in a case of transition to the special game, has a special prize occur subject to a match between predicted orders of symbols predicted by a player and orders of magnitude of prizes that can occur in conjunction with kinds of symbols rearranged on a display device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/846,734, filed on Sep. 25, 2006; theentire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a slot machine and a playing methodthereof.

2. Description of the Related Art

For a slot machine in the related art, a player feeds a game medium suchas a coin or bill to an insertion slot of the slot machine, and operatesa spin button, whereby a device provided as a display at the front ofmachine housing displays a plurality of symbols scrolling, whichautomatically stop thereafter.

Some of such slot machines have imported the idea of employing a winingline so as to pay out a prescribed amount of game medium for acombination of symbols rearranged on the wining line, matching aprescribed winning combination, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,093,102,for example.

Some of such slot machines are adapted, upon a match of a combination ofsymbols rearranged on a wining line with a prescribed winningcombination, to pay out a prescribed amount of game medium, and payout,together therewith, a prescribed amount of game medium depending onnumbers of symbols called scatter symbols rearranged on a displaydevice, independently of the wining line, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.6,604,999 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0065124, forexample.

The present invention provides a slot machine and a playing methodthereof with distinctive entertainment over the related art described.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a slot machinecomprises a display device adapted to have a plurality of kinds ofsymbols arranged thereon, an input device adapted for a player to inputorders of magnitude of prizes to occur in correspondence to kinds ofsymbols, and a controller operable to randomly determine transition to aspecial game, and, in a case of transition to the special game, have aspecial prize occur subject to a match between predicted orders inputfrom the input device before execution of the special game and orders ofmagnitude of prizes that can occur in conjunction with kinds of symbolsrearranged on the display device.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a slot machinecomprises a display device adapted to have a plurality of kinds ofscatter symbols arranged thereon and set for prizes to be bigger as anumber to be rearranged is greater, an input device adapted for a playerto input orders of magnitude of prizes, and a controller operable torandomly determine transition to a special game, and, in a case oftransition to the special game, have a special prize occur subject to amatch between predicted orders input from the input device beforeexecution of the special game and orders of multitude in number ofscatter symbols rearranged on the display device. This slot machine hasa chance of special game randomly determined to have a special prizeoccur subject to a match between predicted orders input by a player froman input device and orders of multitude in number of scatter symbolsrearranged on the display device.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a slot machinecomprises a display device adapted to have a plurality of kinds ofsymbols arranged thereon, an input device adapted for a player to inputthereto orders of magnitude of prizes to occur in correspondence tokinds of symbols, and a controller operable to randomly determinetransition to a special game, and, in a case of transition to thespecial game, have a special prize occur subject to a match betweenpredicted orders input from the input device before execution of thespecial game and orders of magnitude of prizes that can occur inconjunction with kinds of symbols rearranged on the display device, andwhen rearranging symbols on the display device, have a symbol greatestof magnitude of prize rearranged in advance of other symbols. This slotmachine has a chance of special game randomly determined, and whenrearranging symbols on a display device, has a symbol greatest ofmagnitude of prize rearranged in advance of other symbols.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a slot machinecomprises a display device adapted to have a plurality of kinds ofsymbols arranged thereon, an input device adapted for a player to inputorders of magnitude of prizes to occur in correspondence to kinds ofsymbols, and a controller operable to randomly determine transition to aspecial game, and, in a case of transition to the special game, have aspecial prize occur subject to a match between predicted orders inputfrom the input device before execution of the special game and orders ofmagnitude of prizes that can occur in conjunction with kinds of symbolsrearranged on the display device, and when rearranging symbols on thedisplay device, have symbols rearranged in orders of magnitude ofprizes. This slot machine has a chance of special game randomlydetermined, and when rearranging symbols on a display device, hassymbols rearranged in orders of magnitude of prizes.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a slot machinecomprises a display device adapted to have a plurality of kinds ofsymbols arranged thereon, a first input device adapted for a player toinput orders of magnitude of prizes to occur in correspondence to kindsof symbols, a second input device adapted for a player to input aninstruction for game start, and a controller operable to randomlydetermine transition to a special game, taking the instruction inputfrom the second input device for game start as an occasion therefore,and, in a case of transition to the special game, have a special prizeoccur subject to a match between predicted orders input from the firstinput device before execution of the special game and orders ofmagnitude of prizes that can occur in conjunction with kinds of symbolsrearranged on the display device. This slot machine has a chance ofspecial game randomly determined, based on an instruction input by aplayer for game start.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, a slot machinecomprises a display device adapted to have a plurality of kinds ofsymbols arranged thereon, an input device adapted to be adaptive for aplayer to input orders of magnitude of prizes to occur in correspondenceto kinds of symbols, in either of a case of transition to a special gameand a case of no transition, and a controller operable to randomlydetermine transition to the special game, and, in a case of transitionto the special game, have a special prize occur subject to a matchbetween predicted orders input from the input device before execution ofthe special game and orders of magnitude of prizes that can occur inconjunction with kinds of symbols rearranged on the display device. Thisslot machine has a chance of special game randomly determined, andenables an input of predicted orders by a player, in either of a case oftransition to the special game and a case of no transition.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a playing methodfor a slot machine comprises the steps of executing rearrangement of aplurality of kinds of symbols arranged on a display device, randomlydetermining transition to a special game, before execution of therearrangement, accepting, before execution of the rearrangement, aninput of orders of magnitude of prizes to occur in correspondence tokinds of symbols rearranged on the display device, and having a specialprize occur subject to a match between the orders input, in a case oftransition to the special game, before execution of the special game,and orders of magnitude of prizes that can occur in conjunction withkinds of symbols rearranged on the display device. This playing methodfor a slot machine has a chance of special game randomly determined tohave a special prize occur subject to a match between predicted ordersinput by a player from an input device, and orders of magnitude ofprizes to occur in conjunction with kinds of symbols rearranged on thedisplay device.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, a playing methodfor a slot machine comprises the steps of executing rearrangement on adisplay device, of a plurality of kinds of scatter symbols set forprizes to be bigger as a number to be rearranged is greater, randomlydetermining transition to a special game, before execution of therearrangement, accepting, before execution of the rearrangement, aninput of orders of magnitude of prizes, and having a special prize occursubject to a match between the orders input, in a case of transition tothe special game, before execution of the special game, and orders ofmultitude in number of scatter symbols rearranged on the display device.This playing method for a slot machine has a chance of special gamerandomly determined to have a special prize occur subject to a matchbetween predicted orders input by a player from an input device, andorders of multitude in number of scatter symbols rearranged on thedisplay device.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, a playing methodfor a slot machine comprises the steps of executing rearrangement of aplurality of kinds of symbols arranged on a display device, randomlydetermining transition to a special game, before execution of therearrangement, accepting, before execution of the rearrangement, aninput of orders of magnitude of prizes to occur in correspondence tokinds of symbols rearranged on the display device, having a symbolgreatest of magnitude of prize rearranged in advance of other symbols,when rearranging symbols on the display device, and having a specialprize occur subject to a match between the orders input, in a case oftransition to the special game, before execution of the special game,and orders of magnitude of prizes that can occur in conjunction withkinds of symbols rearranged on the display device. This playing methodfor a slot machine has a chance of special game randomly determined, andwhen rearranging symbols on a display device, has a symbol greatest ofmagnitude of prize rearranged in advance of other symbols.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, a playing methodfor a slot machine comprises the steps of executing rearrangement of aplurality of kinds of symbols arranged on a display device, randomlydetermining transition to a special game, before execution of therearrangement, accepting, before execution of the rearrangement, aninput of orders of magnitude of prizes to occur in correspondence tokinds of symbols rearranged on the display device, having symbolsrearranged in orders of magnitude of prizes, when rearranging symbols onthe display device, and having a special prize occur subject to a matchbetween the orders input, in a case of transition to the special game,before execution of the special game, and orders of magnitude of prizesthat can occur in conjunction with kinds of symbols rearranged on thedisplay device. This playing method for a slot machine has a chance ofspecial game randomly determined, and when rearranging symbols on adisplay device, has symbols rearranged in orders of magnitude of prizes.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, a playingmethod for a slot machine comprises the steps of executing rearrangementof a plurality of kinds of symbols arranged on a display device,accepting, before execution of the rearrangement, an input of orders ofmagnitude of prizes to occur in correspondence to kinds of symbolsrearranged on the display device, accepting an input of an instructionfor game start, randomly determining transition to a special game,taking the instruction input for game start as an occasion therefore,having a special prize occur subject to a match between the ordersinput, in a case of transition to the special game, before execution ofthe special game, and orders of magnitude of prizes that can occur inconjunction with kinds of symbols rearranged on the display device. Thisplaying method for a slot machine has a chance of special game randomlydetermined, based on an instruction input by a player for game start.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, a playing methodfor a slot machine comprises the steps of executing rearrangement of aplurality of kinds of symbols arranged on a display device, randomlydetermining transition to a special game, before execution of therearrangement, enabling, before execution of the rearrangement, an inputof orders of magnitude of prizes to occur in correspondence to kinds ofsymbols rearranged on the display device, in either of a case oftransition to a special game and a case of no transition, and having aspecial prize occur subject to a match between the orders input, in acase of transition to the special game, before execution of the specialgame, and orders of magnitude of prizes that can occur in conjunctionwith kinds of symbols rearranged on the display device. This playingmethod for a slot machine has a chance of special game randomlydetermined, and enables an input of predicted orders by a player, ineither of a case of transition to the special game and a case of notransition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing a playing method of a slot machineaccording to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2A is a diagram showing an example of a frame of image to bedisplayed when entering an order of a symbol.

FIG. 2B is a diagram showing an example of a frame of image to bedisplayed when entering orders of symbols.

FIG. 3A is a diagram showing an example of symbol rearrangement.

FIG. 3B is a diagram showing an example of symbol rearrangement.

FIG. 3C is a diagram showing an example of symbol rearrangement.

FIG. 3D is a diagram showing an example of symbol rearrangement.

FIG. 3E is a diagram showing an example of symbol rearrangement.

FIG. 4 is a table showing a relationship between prize and payout amountin a bonus game.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a slot machineaccording to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a table showing symbols, and code numbers of the symbols.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the slotmachine shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing a game execution processing procedure tobe executed by the slot machine in the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing details of a bonus game selectionprocessing procedure in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing details of a symbol decision processingprocedure in FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a table showing a relationship between prize and payoutamount.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing details of a bonus game processingprocedure in FIG. 8.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing a playing method of a slot machineaccording to a second embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing a game execution processing procedure tobe executed by the slot machine in the second embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing details of a symbol decision processingprocedure in FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing a game execution processing procedureaccording to a modification of the second embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a flow chart showing details of a bonus game processingprocedure in FIG. 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (1) First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a flow chart schematically showing a playing method of a slotmachine according to the first embodiment. There will be described belowthe slot machine and general actions of the playing method, withreference made to the flow chart shown in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the slot machine in the present embodiment has at astep S1 a plurality of symbols arranged on a device as a display, andthereafter goes to a step S2, where it randomly determines a transitionto a special game. Then, in the case the transition to the special gameis determined, it goes from the step S2 to a step S3, where it acceptsan entry of predicted orders of a plurality of symbols to be rearrangedon the display, and thereafter goes to a step S4, where it rearrangesthe plurality of symbols arranged on the display. Then, at a step S5, itjudges whether or not orders of multitude in number of identical symbolsrearranged match the predicted orders having been entered at theabove-noted step S3, and in the case they match, it goes from the stepS5 to a step S6, where it offers a prize. To the contrary, unless theymatch, it ends this game process.

FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B are diagrams showing examples of frames of image tobe displayed when entering orders of symbols. FIG. 3A to FIG. 3E arediagrams showing examples of symbol rearrangement. FIG. 4 is a tableshowing a relationship between prize and payout amount in a bonus game.In FIG. 4, m is a payout amount for the case in which a symbol whosepredicted order has been entered is rearranged three in number in alower image display panel 16, and n is a number in rearrangement in thelower image display panel 16 in respect of the symbol whose predictedorder has been entered. For example, assuming the symbol having apredicted order entered be “CHERRY”, and this symbol “CHERRY” bedisplayed six in number, it so follows that m=2, and n=6.

It is noted that the slot machine 10 is a slot machine of a stand-alonetype that is connected to no networks, while the present invention isapplicable to a slot machine connected to a network, as well.

The slot machine 10 of the present embodiment has the lower imagedisplay panel 16, which is made by a liquid crystal panel, and adaptedto display fifteen display blocks 28 of three rows by five columns, asshown in FIG. 3A to FIG. 3E. The display blocks 28 are each respectivelyadapted to have a single symbol arranged therein. In the presentembodiment, each display block 28 has arranged therein any one ofsymbols “CHERRY”, “BELL”, “STRAWBERRY”, “ORANGE”, “PLUM”, “BLUE 7”,“JACKPOT 7”, and “APPLE”.

In the slot machine 10, when a game is started, it is randomlydetermined whether a transition to a bonus game as the special gameshould develop or not, and in the case the transition to the bonus gameis to develop, the image shown in FIG. 2A is displayed in an upper imagedisplay panel 33.

When this image is displayed, the slot machine 10 is waiting for entryof a predicted order of a symbol. The predicted order of a symbol is anorder of multitude, to be entered by a player who has predicted it, inrespect of the number of identical symbols to be displayed in the lowerimage display panel 16. For example, assuming the lower image displaypanel 16 having the symbol “ORANGE” rearranged seven in number therein,“PLUM”, four, “BELL”, two, “APPLE”, one, and “CHERRY”, one, it sofollows that the symbol “ORANGE” has a first place as an actual orderthereof, “PLUM”, a second place, “BELL”, a third place, and “APPLE” and“CHERRY”, fourth places. The slot machine 10 accepts an entry of aprediction of such orders (predicted orders) by the player.

In the slot machine 10, those predicted orders which have been enteredin a waiting state for entry of predicted orders are set as predictedorders of symbols within first to third places in respect ofsubsequently rearranged symbols.

In the waiting state for entry of predicted orders of symbols, the upperimage display panel 33 displays in a lower part thereof an imageindicating “ENTER PREDICTED ORDERS”. Further, in a central part, thereare displayed three arrays of order entry images 200 for entries oforders of symbols. Each order entry image 200 is made by images of“CHERRY”, “BELL”, “STRAWBERRY”, “ORANGE”, “PLUM”, “BLUE 7”, “JACKPOT 7”,and “APPLE” in order from above. An order entry image 200 at the left isadapted for entry of a symbol in a first place, an order entry image 200in the middle, for entry of a symbol in a second place, and an orderentry image 200 at the right, for entry of a symbol in a third place.The upper image display panel 33 has a touch panel 69 provided as aninput device on the front side. The player touches a location on thetouch panel 69 corresponding to any order entry image 200, whereby anorder of a symbol is entered.

For example, assuming the symbol “ORANGE” having been entered in thefirst place as a predicted order, “PLUM”, in the second place, and“BELL”, in the third place, the frame of image shown in FIG. 2B isdisplayed. In the order entry image 200 for the first place, an image of“ORANGE” has a red color. In the order entry image 200 for the secondplace, an image of “PLUM” has a red color. In the order entry image 200for the third place, an image of “BELL” has a red color. Further, theupper image display panel 33 displays in the lower part an imageindicating “ENTER” for a decisive entry, and an image indicating“CANCEL” for the cancellation. When the image indicating “ENTER” isselected, a scroll of symbols starts. On the other hand, when the imageindicating “CANCEL” is selected, the image shown in FIG. 2A is displayedagain.

As the scroll of symbols has started (refer to FIG. 3A), scroll isfinished first simply of a symbol to be greatest in number inrearrangement in the lower image display panel 16, to display the symbolonly. FIG. 3B shows an appearance of rearrangement made simply of thesymbol “ORANGE” to be greatest in number in rearrangement in the lowerimage display panel 16. It is noted in the Figure downward-pointingarrows indicate other symbols being scrolled.

Thereafter, scroll is finished of a symbol to be second-greatest innumber in rearrangement in the lower image display panel 16, with aresultant rearrangement thereof. FIG. 3C additionally shows anappearance of rearrangement made of the symbol “PLUM” to besecond-greatest in number in rearrangement in the lower image displaypanel 16.

Thereafter, scroll is finished of a symbol to be third-greatest innumber in rearrangement in the lower image display panel 16, with aresultant rearrangement thereof. FIG. 3D additionally shows anappearance of rearrangement made of the symbol “BELL” to bethird-greatest in number in rearrangement in the lower image displaypanel 16.

Then, finally, the remaining symbols are rearranged (refer to FIG. 3E).

It is noted that for symbols to be identical in number in rearrangement,their turns of rearrangement may be rendered concurrent, or may follow apreset priority.

As a result of rearrangement of symbols, a prescribed number of (e.g.500) coins are paid out as a bonus, if orders of multitude in numbers ofsymbols in rearrangement in the lower image display panel 16 match thepredicted orders having been entered through the touch panel 69. Inother words, the present embodiment employs, as symbols, a plurality ofkinds of scatter symbols to be set so that the prize gets bigger as theybecome greater in numbers in rearrangement.

It is noted that, in the present embodiment, the bonus to occur or to beoffered is not particularly limited, and may be a free game playable aprescribed number of times without feeding coins, or may be a payout bya progressive jackpot.

In addition, coins will be paid out, depending on numbers of symbolsrearranged in the lower image display panel 16.

FIG. 4 is a table showing a relationship between prize and payout amountin the bonus game. A prescribed number of coins shown in FIG. 4 will bepaid out in any case in which a symbol whose order has been entered isrearranged three or more in number in the lower image display panel 16.For example, two coins will be paid out for symbol “CHERRY” rearrangedthree in number, and four coins, for symbol “CHERRY” rearranged four innumber. Moreover, for symbol “CHERRY” rearranged six or more in number,2×(n−2) coins will be paid out, where n is a number in rearrangement ofsymbol “CHERRY” in the lower image display panel 16.

In the example shown by FIGS. 3A to 3E, the symbol “ORANGE” isrearranged seven in number, and the symbol “PLUM”, four in number, andhence, there will be paid out sixty coins, as a total of forty coins forORANGE” being seven in number and twenty coins for “PLUM” being four innumber.

Although the present embodiment is described for a case that implementsa payout of coins depending on numbers of symbols in rearrangement inthe lower image display panel 16, the present invention may be embodiedin free of such a payout.

Although, in the example above, description is made of a case thatimplements entry of orders of first to third places, the presentinvention is not particularly limited in this respect, and may beembodied for entry of orders of first and second places, or for entry oforders of first to fourth places. Further, it may be embodied for entryof a single order, such as of a first place or a second place only.

Although, in the example above, description is made of a case thatimplements entry of orders of symbols through the touch panel 69, thepresent invention is not limited thereto, and may be embodied with adevice separately provided for entry or input.

Although, in the example above, description is made of a case in whichsymbols are rearranged in order of multitude in number in rearrangementin the lower image display panel 16, the present invention is notlimited thereto, and may be embodied such that the symbol to be greatestin number in rearrangement is rearranged first, and the remainingsymbols are rearranged concurrently or at random timings, or such thatall the symbols are rearranged at random timings. Moreover, in a casesymbols are rearranged on an array basis, it may be embodied by use of amechanical reel having an array of symbols depicted thereon.

Although, in the example above, description is made of a case forarrangement of a total number of fifteen symbols in three rows by fivecolumns, the present invention is not limited to three rows by fivecolumns. Further, although, in the example above, description is made ofa case for display (arrangement) of symbols in the lower image displaypanel 16 made by a liquid crystal panel, the present invention is notlimited thereto, and may be embodied with mechanical reels disposed atthe back of a display device (e.g. transparent liquid crystal panel), sothat the mechanical reels can be used for arrangement of symbols on thedisplay device. In the use of a mechanical reel, the number ofmechanical reels may be identical to that of symbols to be rearranged onthe display device, for scrolls of symbols to be individual.

Although, in the example above, description is made of a case for aplurality of kinds of scatter symbols set to be greater in number ofsymbols in rearrangement to get a bigger prize, the present invention isnot limited thereto, and may be embodied to determine a magnitude ofprize depending on kinds of symbols in rearrangement. In this case, forexample, those symbols relatively low of possibility of rearrangementmay have their orders set high, of which information may be stored inadvance in a RAM 43. Then, a player enters predicted orders of symbolsthrough the touch panel 69 on the upper image display panel 33, as shownin FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B. The player operates a spin button 23, whereby amain CPU 41 starts scrolling plural kinds of symbols arranged on thelower image display panel 16. In due course, the scrolls go to ends,indicating plural symbols stopped on the lower image display panel 16,of which one symbol highest in the orders preset in the RAM 43 isdetermined as in the first place by the main CPU 41, another symbolnext-highest, as in the second place, and yet another symbolnext-highest, as in the third place. The main CPU 41 offers a specialprize for a match of orders thus determined in each game with thepredicted orders having been entered by the player.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of a slot machine according toone embodiment of the present invention.

The slot machine 10 employs, as a game medium therein, coins, bills, orelectronic valued information corresponding thereto. However, in thepresent invention, the game medium to be employed is not particularlylimited, and may be a medal, token, electronic money, or ticket, forexample. It is noted that the ticket is not particularly limited, andmay be, e.g., a ticket with bar codes, as will be described later.

The slot machine 10 is configured with a cabinet 11, a top box 12disposed on the top of the cabinet 11, and a main door 13 provided atthe front of the cabinet 11. The main door 13 has the lower imagedisplay panel 16 provided as a display device at the front thereof. Thelower image display panel 16 has a liquid crystal panel for displayingfifteen display blocks 28 in three rows by five columns. The displayblocks 28 are each respectively adapted to arrange therein a singlesymbol.

Further, in each row of the lower image display panel 16, there is asingle winning line L horizontally extending across five display blocks28 displayed in a central region thereof. The winning line L specifies acombination of symbols thereon.

The lower image display panel 16 further has a credit amount indicator31 and a payout amount indicator 32 set thereon. The credit amountindicator 31 indicates the number of credited coins by an image. Thepayout amount indicator 32 indicates by an image the number of coins tobe paid out for a combination of symbols arranged on wining line L as aprescribed combination.

Under the lower image display panel 16, there are provided a controlpanel 20 that has a plurality of buttons 23 to 27 for a player to inputcommands associated with a game in progress, a coin slot 21 thatreceives a coin to be fed inside the cabinet 11, and a bill verifier 22.

The control panel 20 has a spin button 23 as a second device for entryor input, a change button 24, a cashout button 25, a 1-bet button 26,and a max-bet button 27. The spin button 23 is adapted for inputting acommand to start scrolling symbols. This command is an instruction forstarting a game. The change button 24 is employable when requesting achange to an attendant in a gaming facility. The cashout button 25 isadapted for inputting a command to pay out credited coins to a coin tray18.

The 1-bet button 26 is adapted for inputting a command to bet one ofcredited coins to a game. The max-bet button 27 is adapted for inputtinga command to bet a maximal number of (50 in this embodiment) creditedcoins that can be bet to a single game.

The bill verifier 22 is adapted to verify a bill to be legitimate ornot, for acceptance of a legitimate bill into cabinet 11. The billverifier 22 may be configured to read a bar-coded ticket 39 describedbelow. At the front of a lower part of main door 13, there is a berryglass 34 provided with a depicted character of slot machine 10 or thelike.

The upper image display panel 33 is provided at the front of top box 12.The upper image display panel 33 has a liquid crystal panel, whichdisplays images for, e.g., introduction to contents of a game, as wellas explanation of rules of a game. Further, the upper image displaypanel 33 displays thereon the order entry images 200 for entry or inputof orders of symbols.

Further, the touch panel 69 is provided at the front of upper imagedisplay panel 33 as a first device for entry or input, which is adaptedfor operation by a player to thereby enter or input various commands.

The top box 12 has a speaker 29 provided thereon. Further, in a lowerpart under the upper image display panel 33, it has a ticket printer 35,a card reader 36, a data indicator 37, and a keypad 38. The ticketprinter 35 is adapted for printing on a ticket a code of bars havingencoded data such as on a credit amount and date and time as well as anidentification number of slot machine 10, to provide the bar-codedticked 39. This bar-coded ticked 39 may be read by another slot machine,for execution of a game at this slot machine. Further, the bar-codedticked 39 may be changed for bills or like at a prescribed place in agaming facility (e.g. a cashier in a casino).

The card reader 36 is adapted for reading data from a smart card, andwriting data to the smart card. The smart card is a card to be possessedby a player, and has stored data on, e.g., identification of the playerand history of games by the player. The smart card may have stored datacorresponding to coins, bills, or credit. Further, a magnetic stripecard may be employed to substitute for the smart card. The dataindicator 37 is made by a fluorescent display device or the like, andadapted for display of, e.g., a data read by the card reader 36, as wellas a data entered or input through the key pad 38 by a player. Thekeypad 38 is adapted for entry or input of commands or data such as on aticket issuance.

FIG. 6 is a table showing symbols, and code numbers of the symbols.

As shown in FIG. 6, each display block 28 is adapted for scrolling aseries of symbols, twenty-two in total, represented by code numbers “00”to “21”. Each symbol series is composed of a combination of symbols“JACKPOT 7”, “BLUE 7”, “BELL”, “CHERRY”, “STRAWBERRY”, “PLUM”, “ORANGE”,and “APPLE”. For five of symbols “JACKPOT 7”, “BLUE 7”, “BELL”,“CHERRY”, “STRAWBERRY”, “PLUM”, “ORANGE”, and “APPLE” rearranged on awinning line L, a prescribed number of coins are paid out (refer to FIG.11).

The 1-bet button 26 or max-bet button 27 is pressed, and thereafter, thespin button 23 is pressed to start a game, where symbols verticallyscroll down. With lapse of a prescribed time interval, they arerearranged. For a prize then established, a prescribed number of coinsare paid out (refer to FIG. 11).

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the slotmachine shown in FIG. 5.

A gaming board 50 is configured with a CPU (central processing unit) 51,a ROM 55, and a boot ROM 52, which are interconnected by an internalbus, and has a card slot 53S for a memory card 53, and an IC socket 54Sfor a GAL (generic array logic) 54.

The memory card 53 is made by a nonvolatile memory, such as a compactflash®, and has a game program stored therein. The game program includesa symbol determining program. The symbol determining program is aprogram for determining symbols (in terms of code numbers correspondingthereto) to be rearranged on a wining line L as a payline.

The card slot 53S is configured for a removal insertion thereto of thememory card 53, and is connected to a mother board 40 by an IDE bus.Therefore, the memory card 53 is demounted out of the card slot 53S, hasanother game program written thereto, and inserted into the card slot53S, to change the type, as well as contents, of the game to be playedat the slot machine 10. The game program includes a program engaged withthe progress of game. Further, the game program includes data on imagesor sounds to be output during the game.

The CPU 51, ROM 55 and boot ROM 52 mutually connected by the internalbus are connected to the mother board 40 by a PCI bus. The PCI busserves for transmission of signals between the mother board 40 and thegaming board 50, and power supply from the mother board 40 to the gamingboard 50.

The mother board 40 is made by use of a commercially available generalpurpose mother-board (as a printed circuit board with implemented basiccomponents of a personal computer), and has a main CPU 41, a ROM(read-only memory) 42, a RAM (random access memory) 43, and interfaces44 for communications. The mother board 40 corresponds to a controllerin the present invention.

The ROM 42, made of a memory device such as a flash memory, has storedtherein programs, such as a BIOS (basic input/output system), to beexecuted by the main CPU 41, as well as data to be permanent. The BIOSis adapted, when executed by the main CPU 41, to implement processes forinitialization of prescribed peripherals, and start a process forimporting a game program stored in the memory card 53, through thegaming board 50. It is noted that, in the present invention, the ROM 42may be updatable of contents, or not.

The RAM 43 has stored therein programs and data to be used when the mainCPU 41 works. Further, the RAM 43 is adapted for storing a game program.

The RAM 43 is further adapted for storage of data such as on a creditamount, as well as on a feed amount and a payout amount for a singletime of play.

Further, the mother board 40 has connected thereto a later-describedmain PCB (printed circuit board) 60 and door PCB 80, each respectivelyby an associated USB (universal serial bus). Further, a power supplyunit 45 is connected to the mother board 40.

The main PCB 60 and door PCB 80 have connected thereto those appliancesand devices which generate input signals to be input to the main CPU 41,and those appliances and devices which have their performancescontrolled by control signals output from the main CPU 41. The main CPU41 is adapted to depend on input signals input thereto, for executing agame program stored in the RAM 43 to thereby implement prescribedcalculation processes, storing the results in the RAM 43, andtransmission of control signals to respective appliances and devices, asa control process therefore.

The main PCB 60 has connected thereto a lamp 30, a hopper 66, a coindetector 67, a graphic board 68, the speaker 29, the touch panel 69, thebill verifier 22, the ticket printer 35, the card reader 36, a keyswitch 38S, and the data indicator 37. The lamp 30 is lit in aprescribed pattern in accordance with a control signal output from themain CPU 41.

The hopper 66 is installed inside the cabinet 11, and adapted to pay outa prescribed number of coins from a coin payout opening 19 to the cointray 18, in accordance with a control signal output from the main CPU41. The coin detector 67 is installed inside the coin payout opening 19,and adapted, upon detection of a prescribed number of coins having beenpaid from the coin payout opening 19, to output an input signal to themain CPU 41.

The graphic board 68 is adapted to control displaying images on upperimage display panel 33 and lower side image display panel 16, inaccordance with control signals output from the main CPU 41. The lowerimage display panel 16 is adapted to display in each display block 28thereof a scrolling or rearranged symbol. The lower image display panel16 is adapted to indicate in the credit amount indicator 31 a creditamount stored in the RAM 43. Further, the lower image display panel 16is adapted to indicate a payout amount of coins in the payout amountindicator 32.

The graphic board 68 includes a VDP (video display processor) forgenerating image data in accordance with a control signal output fromthe main CPU 41, a video RAM for temporarily storing image datagenerated by the VDP, etc. For the generation of image data by the VDP,there is used an image data included in the game program read from thememory card 53 and stored in the RAM 43.

The bill verifier 22 verifies a bill to be legitimate or not, andaccepts a legitimate bill into cabinet 11. The bill verifier 22 isadapted, upon acceptance of a legitimate bill, to output an input signalto the main CPU 41 depending on a value of the bill. The main CPU 41stores in the RAM 43 a credit amount depending on the value of billinformed by the input signal.

The ticket printer 35 prints on a ticket a code of bars having encodeddata such as on a credit amount and date and time as well as anidentification number of slot machine 10, to provide the bar-codedticked 39.

The card reader 36 is adapted to read data from the smart card, totransmit to the main CPU 41, as well as to write data to the smart cardin accordance with a control signal from the main CPU 41. The key switch38S is provided on the key pad 38, and outputs an input signal to themain CPU 41, when the key pad 38 is operated by a player. The dataindicator 37 is adapted for indication of a data read by the card reader36, as well as a data entered or input through the key pad 38 by aplayer, in accordance with a control signal output from the main CPU 41.

The door PCB 80 has connected thereto the control panel 20, a reverter21S, a coin counter 21C, and a cold cathode tube 81. The control panel20 is provided with a spin switch 23S for the spin button 23, a changeswitch 24S for the change button 24, a cashout switch 25S for thecashout button 25, a 1-bet switch 26S for the 1-bet button 26, and amax-bet switch 27S for the max-bet button 27. The switches 23S to 27Sare each respectively adapted, upon operation of a corresponding button23 to 27 by a player, to output an input signal to the main CPU 41.

The coin counter 21C is installed inside the coin slot 21, and adaptedto verify whether a coin fed by a player to the coin slot 21 islegitimate or not. Any coin else than a legitimate one is released fromthe coin payout opening 19. The coin counter 21C is adapted, upondetection of a legitimate coin, to output an input signal to the mainCPU 41.

The reverter 21S is adapted to work in accordance with a control signaloutput from the main CPU 41, for distributing a coin verified aslegitimate by the coin counter 21C to the hopper 66 or a cash box (notshown) installed inside the slot machine 10. That is, if the hopper 66is filled with coins, a legitimate coin is distributed to the cash boxby the reverter 21S. On the other hand, unless the hopper 66 is filledwith coins, the legitimate coin is distributed to the hopper 66. Thecold cathode tube 81 serves as a back light disposed behind lower imagedisplay panel 16 and upper side image display panel 33, and is lit inaccordance with a control signal output from the main CPU 41.

Description is now made of processes to be implemented in the slotmachine 10.

The main CPU 41 reads and executes a game program, to conduct a game.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing a game execution processing procedure inthe first embodiment.

In the process for execution of the game, the main CPU 41 first judgeswhether a coin is bet or not (at a step S10). In this process, the mainCPU 41 judges whether or not a reception is made of the signal to beoutput from the 1-bet switch 26S upon operation of the 1-bet button 26or of the signal to be output from the max-bet switch 27S upon operationof the max-bet button 27. If no coin is bet in judgment, the processgoes again to the step S10.

On the other hand, if a coin is bet in judgment at the step S10, themain CPU 41 executes a process for reduction of a credit amount storedin the RAM 43 depending on the number of bet coins (at a step S11). Itis noted that if the number of bet coins is greater than the creditamount stored in the RAM 43, the process goes again to the step S10,without entering the process for reduction of a credit amount stored inthe RAM 43. Further, if the number of bet coins exceeds an upper limit(fifty coins in this embodiment) that can be bet for a single time ofgame, the process goes to a step S12, without entering the process forreduction of a credit amount stored in the RAM 43.

At the step S12, the main CPU 41 judges whether or not the spin button23 is turned on. In this process, the main CPU 41 judges whether or nota reception is made of the signal to be output from the spin switch 23Swhen the spin button 23 is pressed. Unless the spin button 23 is turnedon in judgment, the process goes again to the step S10. It is noted thatif the spin button 23 fails to turn on (for example, by an input commandto finish the game without turning the spin button 23 on), the main CPU41 cancels a result of reduction at the step S11.

If the spin button 23 is turned on in judgment at the step S12, the mainCPU 41 goes from the step S12 to a step S13, where it implements a bonusgame selection process. In the bonus game selection process, the mainCPU 41 executes a game selection program stored in the RAM 43, forrandom selection of a decision to go, or not to go, to a bonus gameprovided as a special game. The bonus game selection process will bedescribed later, with reference to FIG. 9. Like this, the main CPU 41starts a game play, depending on the signal to be input from the spinbutton switch 23S upon and by an operation of turning the spin button 23on, and is thereby adapted to execute the bonus game selection process(at the step S13). In other words, this signal, which is generated by aplayer's operation, serves as a signal to provide a chance of transitionto the bonus game as a special game. As the bonus game selection process(step S13) ends, the main CPU 41 goes to a step S14, where itdetermines, depending on a result of selection in the bonus gameselection process (step S13), to go to a step S15 for a bonus gameprocess or to a step S16 for a symbol determination process. That is, ifa transition to the bonus game is selected in the bonus game selectionprocess (step S13), the main CPU 41 goes from the step S14 to the stepS15, where it implements the bonus game process before ending thissub-routine. The bonus game process will be described later, withreference to FIG. 12. Like this, the game execution process of thepresent embodiment creates a chance of bonus game by the bonus gameselection process at the step S13.

Unless a transition to the bonus game is selected in the bonus gameselection process (step S13), the main CPU 41 goes from the step S14 tothe step S16, where it implements the symbol determination process. Inthe symbol determination process, the main CPU 41 executes a symboldetermining program stored in the RAM 43, to thereby determine codenumbers that symbols should have when stop. The symbol determinationprocess will be detailed later, with reference to FIG. 10 and FIG. 11.It is noted that, although in the present embodiment description is madeof a case for determination of symbols to be rearranged to therebydetermine a single prize from among a plurality of kinds of prizes, thepresent invention may be embodied to first determine, for example, asingle prize selective from among a plurality of kinds of prizes, andthereafter, determine a combination of symbols to be rearranged independence on the above-noted prize.

Next, at a step S17, the main CPU 41 implements a scroll display controlprocess. This is a process for controlling display of symbols whosescrolls have been started, to have symbols rearranged as determined inthe step S16.

Next, the main CPU 41 judges whether or not a prize is established (at astep S18). If a prize is established in judgment, the main CPU 41payouts (at a step S19) a number of coins depending on the prize and betamount, to finish this sub-routine. On the other hand, unless a prize isestablished in judgment, it ends this sub-routine.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing a bonus game selection processingprocedure to be called up as a sub-routine for execution at the step S13of FIG. 8. This is a process for the main CPU 41 to execute the bonusgame selection program stored in the RAM 43.

First, at a step S31, the main CPU 41 executes a random numbergeneration program included in a lottery process program, to therebyselect a random number within a range of numbers 0 to 255. In thisembodiment, description is made of a case that generates a random numberon a program (i.e. for use of a so-called software random number).However, the present invention may be embodied with a random numbergenerator for extraction of a random number therefrom (i.e. for use of aso-called hardware random number).

Next, the main CPU 41 goes to a step S32, where it makes a decision togo, or not to go, to a bonus game in dependence on the random numberselected in the above-noted step S31. That is, the main CPU 41 refers toa table representing a relationship between random number and transitionto a bonus game, to thereby judge whether or not the random numberselected in the step S31 corresponds to the transition to a bonus game.Then, if the selected random number corresponds to the transition to abonus game, the main CPU 41 decides the transition to a bonus game, asresult of selection. To the contrary, unless the selected random numbercorresponds to the transition to a bonus game, the main CPU 41 decidesnot to go to the bonus game, as result of selection.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing a symbol determination processingprocedure to be called up as a sub-routine for execution at the step S16of FIG. 8. This is a process for the main CPU 41 to execute the symboldetermination program stored in the RAM 43.

First, at a step S41, the main CPU 41 executes a random numbergeneration program included in the symbol determination program, tothereby select random numbers corresponding to respective arrays ofsymbols within a range of numbers 0 to 255. In this embodiment,description is made of a case that generates random numbers on a program(i.e. for use of so-called software random numbers). However, thepresent invention may be embodied with a random number generator forextraction of random numbers therefrom (i.e. for use of so-calledhardware random numbers).

Next, the main CPU 41 goes to a step S42, where it determines codenumbers (refer to FIG. 6) of respective symbol arrays in dependence onthe selected random numbers. The code numbers of symbol arrayscorrespond to code numbers of symbols to be displayed on the wining lineL where they stop. The main CPU 41 determines a prize by determinationof code numbers of respective symbol arrays. For example, assuming codenumbers of respective symbols be determined as “00”, “00”, “00”, “00”,“00”, the main CPU 41 has determined a prize of “JACKPOT 7”.

It is noted that the present embodiment implements scroll of symbols ina symbol basis, and rearrangement of symbols in a symbol array basis.That is, when scrolling, respective symbols individually scroll, and,once the code number of a certain symbol array be determined to “10”,for example, the symbol array will have code numbers “9”, “10”, “11” inorder from above in final rearrangement in the lower image display panel16.

Description is now made of prizes in the present embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a table showing a relationship between prize and payoutamount. In FIG. 11, the payout amount means the number of coins to bepaid out per unit of fed amount of coins.

For “APPLE” symbols rearranged five on the winning line L, fifty coinswill be paid out per one of fed coins. Likewise, for “JACKPOT 7”, “BLUE7”, “BELL”, “STRAWBERRY”, “PLUM”, “CHERRY”, or “ORANGE” symbolsrearranged five on the winning line L, a number of coins correspondingto each prize will be paid out.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing a bonus game process to be called up asa sub-routine for execution at the step S15 of FIG. 8.

First, at a step S50, the main CPU 41 accepts an entry of predictedorders of symbols. In the step S50, for symbols to be next rearranged(those symbols to be rearranged at steps S51 and S52), predicted symbolorders of first to third places are entered by a player. The upper imagedisplay panel 33 then displays frames of images shown in FIG. 2A andFIG. 2B.

Next, the main CPU 41 goes to the step S51 for implementation of asymbol determination process. The process at this step S51 issubstantially identical to that referred to in description of step S16in FIG. 8. This process has already been described, and furtherdescription is omitted here.

Next, at the step S52, the main CPU 41 implements a scroll displaycontrol process. In this process, for each symbol whose rearrangement inlower image display panel 16 is determined in the above-noted step S51,the main CPU 41 counts the number of identical symbols. Then, symbolsstart scroll, and get rearranged in due course in order of magnitude innumber in rearrangement in lower image display panel 16, as shown inFIGS. 3A to 3E.

Next, at a step S53, the main CPU 41 judges, for symbols rearranged inlower image display panel 16, whether or not orders of magnitude (placesof order) in number in the rearrangement match the predicted orders ofsymbols entered in the above-noted step S50. If the orders match injudgment, the main CPU 41 goes from the step S53 to a step S54, where itpays out a prescribed number of (e.g. 500) coins as a bonus, to finishthis sub-routine. To the contrary, unless the orders match in judgmentat the step S53, the main CPU 41 ends the sub-routine.

In the slot machine 10 and a playing method thereof in the presentembodiment, the bonus game selection process (step S13 in FIG. 8) isexecuted every time when the spin button 23 is operated, for randomdecision to go, or not to go, to a bonus game. That is, a randomdecision is made every game, to go or not to go to a bonus game.

For transition to a bonus game, an acceptance is made of predictedorders of symbols entered through the touch panel 69. And, forrearrangement of a plurality of symbols arranged in the lower imagedisplay panel 16, the rearrangement is made in order of magnitude innumber of identical symbols displayed in the lower image display panel16. And, when a plurality of symbols arranged in the lower image displaypanel 16 are rearranged, if orders of magnitude in number of symbolsdisplayed in the lower image display panel 16 match predicted ordersentered through the touch panel 69, a prescribed number of (e.g. 500)coins are paid out as a bonus.

The first embodiment of the present invention has been describedhitherto, which is a mere illustration of a specific example, and in noway constitutes a limitation to the present invention, so that specificconfigurations of respective measures can be designed or modified in anadequate manner. The embodiment of the present invention has describedeffects, which are simply enumerated as most preferable effectsoccurring from the invention, while the invention has effects thereofencompassing those described in the embodiment, without limitationthereto.

(2) Second Embodiment

In the first embodiment, description is made of a case in which, inaccordance with a result of the bonus game selection process (step S13in FIG. 8), transition is made to a bonus game, where predicted ordersof symbols are entered by a player (step S50 in FIG. 12), andthereafter, the symbol determination process is executed (step S51 inFIG. 12), while the present invention is not limited thereto, and mayhave a player enter predicted orders of symbols, irrespective of theresult of the bonus game selection process implemented for randomselection to go or not to go to a bonus game.

That is, in the second embodiment, after the random selection to go ornot to go to a bonus game, predicted orders of symbols are entered by aplayer, whether the selection has a successful result or an unsuccessfulresult for transition to a bonus game. In a slot machine according tothis embodiment, such a progress of game allows the player to recognizea bonus game being always executed.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart schematically showing a playing method of a slotmachine according to the second embodiment. There will be describedbelow the slot machine and general actions of the playing method, withreference made to the flow chart shown in FIG. 13.

As shown in FIG. 13, the slot machine in the present embodiment has at astep S61 a plurality of symbols arranged on a device as a display, andthereafter goes to a step S62, where it randomly determines a transitionto a special game. Then, at a step S63, it enables entry of predictedorders of a plurality of symbols to be rearranged on the display, by adevice for the entry, whether in the case to go to a special game or thecase not to go to a special game. Then, in the case the transition tothe special game is determined at the step S62, it goes to a step S64,where it accepts an entry of predicted orders of a plurality of symbolsto be rearranged on the display, and thereafter goes to a step S65,where it rearranges the plurality of symbols arranged on the display.Then, at a step S66, it judges whether or not orders of multitude innumber of identical symbols rearranged match the predicted orders havingbeen entered at the above-noted step S64, and in the case they match, itgoes from the step S66 to a step S67, where it offers a prize. To thecontrary, unless they match, it ends this game process.

It is noted that the order of processes may be interchanged between theprocess to randomly determine the transition to a special game (stepS62) and the process to enable entry of predicted orders whether inpresence or absence of the transition to a special game (step S63).

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing details of a game execution processingprocedure to be executed by the slot machine in the second embodiment.

In FIG. 14, steps S70, S71, S72, and S73 have like processes to thesteps S10, S11, S12, and S13 in FIG. 8. These processes have alreadybeen described, and further description is omitted here.

In the case of transition to a bonus game as a result of a bonus gameselection process at the step S73, the main CPU 41 goes from a step S74to a step S75 for implementation of a bonus game process. The steps S74and S75 have like processes to the steps S14 and S15 in FIG. 8. Theseprocesses have already been described, and further description isomitted here.

Upon completion of the bonus game process, the main CPU 41 goes from thestep S75 to a step S79. At this step S79, the main CPU 41 judges whetheror not a prize is established by a combination of symbols displayed on awining line L where they stop, in accordance with an arrangement ofsymbols determined in a symbol determination process of the bonus gameprocess (step S75). This symbol determination process is like to thatreferred to in description of FIG. 12. This process has already beendescribed, and further description is omitted here. If a prize isestablished, the main CPU 41 payouts (at a step S80) a number of coinsdepending on the prize and bet amount, to finish this sub-routine. Onthe other hand, unless a prize is established in judgment, it ends thissub-routine. In the game execution process of this embodiment, a prizeis established in dependence on a combination of symbols displayed on awining line L where they stop, even in the case of a transition to abonus game.

In the case of no transition to a bonus game as a result of the bonusgame selection process at the step S73, the main CPU 41 goes from thestep S74 to a step S76, where it enables entry of predicted orders ofsymbols. In the step S76, for symbols to be next rearranged, predictedsymbol orders of first to third places are entered by a player. Theupper image display panel 33 then displays frames of images shown inFIG. 2A and FIG. 2B. Like this, even in the case the bonus gameselection process (step S73) has determined no transition to a bonusgame, entry of predicted orders of symbols by a player is requested,thereby allowing the player to recognize a bonus game being alwaysexecuted.

As predicted orders of symbols are entered, the main CPU 41 stores aresult of this entry in a RAM 43, and thereafter, goes to a subsequentstep S77, where it implements a symbol determination process. In thesymbol determination process, the main CPU 41 executes a symboldetermination program stored in the RAM 43, to determine code numbers tobe set when symbols stop. In the symbol determination process, the mainCPU 41 determines so that symbols stop in orders different frompredicted orders of symbols entered by a player at the step S76.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing a symbol determination processingprocedure to be executed at the step S77 of FIG. 14. This is a processfor the main CPU 41 to execute the symbol determination program storedin the RAM 43.

First, at a step S91, the main CPU 41 executes a random numbergeneration program included in the symbol determination program, tothereby select random numbers corresponding to respective arrays ofsymbols within a range of numbers 0 to 255. This is a process like tothat in the step S41 of FIG. 10, and further description is omittedhere.

Next, the main CPU 41 goes to a step S92, where it determines codenumbers of respective symbol arrays in dependence on five random numbersselected in the step S91. This is a process like to that in the step S42of FIG. 10, and further description is omitted here.

Then, the main CPU 41 goes to a step S93, where it judges whether or notorders in numbers of respective symbols to de displayed on the lowerimage display panel 16 (FIG. 5) by code numbers of symbol arraysdetermined in the above-noted step S92 match the predicted ordersentered by a player in the step S76 of FIG. 14. An affirmative result,if given at the step S93, means a match between the predicted ordersentered by a player and the orders of symbols determined in the stepS92, and the main CPU 41 then goes from the step S93 again to the stepS91, where it again makes a selection of random numbers.

To the contrary, a negative result, if given at the step S93, means afailed match between the predicted orders entered by a player and theorders of symbols determined in the step S92, and the main CPU 41 thengoes from the symbol determination process as a sub-routine again to thegame execution process shown in FIG. 14, where it goes to a scrolldisplay control process (at a step S78).

At the step S17, the main CPU 41 implements the scroll display controlprocess. This is a process for controlling display of symbols whosescrolls have been started, to have symbols rearranged as determined inthe step S77. In the scroll display control process, for each symbolwhose rearrangement in lower image display panel 16 is determined in thestep S77, the main CPU 41 counts the number of identical symbols. Then,symbols start scroll, and get rearranged in due course in order ofmagnitude in number in rearrangement in lower image display panel 16, asshown in FIGS. 3A to 3E. In the above-noted step S77, symbols aredetermined to have different orders from the predicted orders entered bya player in the step S76, whereby symbols after the scroll displaycontrol process are rearranged with a lost match to the predicted ordersentered by a player.

Like this, the game execution process according to the presentembodiment has the player enter predicted orders of symbols for bothsuccessful selection and unsuccessful selection of a bonus game in thebonus game selection process at the step S73, and has symbols rearrangedin orders of place different from predicted orders that have beenentered in the case of unsuccessful selection of a bonus game. Thisresults in a cancellation of payout for a bonus game in the case ofunsuccessful selection of the bonus game in the bonus game selectionprocess (step S73), so that the result of game reflects a result of thebonus game selection process (step S73).

Next, the main CPU 41 goes to a step S79, where it judges whether or nota prize is established in accordance with a combination of symbolsrearranged on the winning line L. If a prize is established in judgment,the main CPU 41 pays out (at a step S80) a number of coins depending onthe prize and bet amount, to finish this sub-routine. On the other hand,unless a prize is established in judgment, it ends this sub-routine.

In the present embodiment, the slot machine as well as the playingmethod thereof has the player enter predicted orders of symbols,irrespective of a result of selection in the bonus game selectionprocess (step S73). The player is thereby shown an indicative bonus gamebeing always executed, while a random selection to go or not to go to abonus game is made every game, with a result of the selection reflectedon a result of game. That is, in the slot machine and the playing methodthereof according to the present embodiment, actually, a bonus gameselection process is executed every game, while the progress of gameappears to the player as if a bonus game were continued.

Although in the second embodiment description is made of a case whichhas, after a bonus game selection process (step S73), a player enterpredicted orders of symbols (step S75, step S66) irrespective of theresult of selection in the bonus game selection process, the presentinvention is not limited thereto, and may have the predicted orders ofsymbols entered before the bonus game selection process (step S73).

FIG. 16 shows a processing procedure that enables entry of predictedorders of symbols before a bonus game selection process.

In FIG. 16, steps S100, S101, and S102 have like processes to the stepsS70, S71, and S72 in FIG. 14. These processes have already beendescribed, and further description is omitted here.

At a step S103, the main CPU 41 enables entry of predicted orders ofsymbols. In the step S103, for symbols to be next rearranged, predictedsymbol orders of first to third places are entered by a player. Theupper image display panel 33 then displays frames of images shown inFIG. 2A and FIG. 2B. In this case, entry of predicted orders is enabledbefore a bonus game selection process to be executed at alater-described step S104. That is, predicted orders of symbols can beentered by a player, even in a state where no decision is made to go ornot to go to a bonus game. The main CPU 41 stores in the RAM 43predicted orders, as they are entered at the step S103.

Then, the main CPU 41 executes a bonus game selection process (stepS104) following the process of enabling entry of predicted orders (stepS103). That is like process to the step S73 of FIG. 14, and furtherdescription is omitted here.

In the case of transition to a bonus game as a result of the bonus gameselection process at the step S104, the main CPU 41 goes from a stepS105 to a step S106 for implementation of a bonus game process. FIG. 17shows the bonus game process at the step S106. At this bonus gameprocess, entry of predicted orders of symbols by a player has beenenabled since step S103 shown in FIG. 16, and predicted orders thenentered has been stored in the RAM 43. Therefore, in the bonus gameprocess shown in FIG. 17, the main CPU 41 first goes to a step S120,where it reads predicted orders stored in the RAM 43, assuming thoseorders as predicted orders entered by the player.

Then, the main CPU 41 executes processes at steps S121, S122, S123, andS124. These processes have been described with reference to FIG. 12, andfurther description is omitted here.

Having executed such a bonus game process (step S106 in FIG. 16), themain CPU 41 goes from the step S106 to a step S109, as shown in FIG. 16.The step S09 and a step S110 are processes for judgment as to whether ornot a prize is established by a combination of symbols displayed on awinning line L where they stop, and for execution of a payout processfor an established prize. These processes are like to those at the stepsS79 and S80 in FIG. 14, which have been already described with referenceto FIG. 14, and further description is omitted here.

On the other hand, in the case of no transition to a bonus game as aresult of the bonus game selection process at the step S104, the mainCPU 41 goes from the step S105 to a step S107, where it implements asymbol determination process. In the symbol determination process, themain CPU 41 executes a symbol determination program stored in the RAM43, to thereby determine code numbers that symbols should have whenstop. In this symbol determination process, the main CPU 41 determinesso that symbols stop in orders different from predicted orders ofsymbols entered by a player at the step S76. This symbol determinationprocess is like to that at the step S77 in FIG. 14, which has beenalready described with reference to FIG. 14 and FIG. 15, and furtherdescription is omitted here.

After the symbol determination process, the main CPU 41 goes to a stepS108, where it implements a scroll display control process, and then toa step S109, where it judges whether or not a prize is established by acombination of symbols displayed on a winning line L where they stop,and if a prize is established, it goes to a step S110 for execution of apayout process.

Like this, the game execution process in FIG. 16 enables entry ofpredicted orders of symbols by a player, before a bonus game selectionprocess (step S104).

The second embodiment of the present invention has been describedhitherto, which is a mere illustration of a specific example, and in noway constitutes a limitation to the present invention, so that specificconfigurations of respective measures can be designed or modified in anadequate manner. The embodiment of the present invention has describedeffects, which are simply enumerated as most preferable effectsoccurring from the invention, while the invention has effects thereofencompassing those described in the embodiment, without limitationthereto.

1. A slot machine comprising: a display device adapted to have aplurality of kinds of symbols arranged thereon; an input device adaptedfor a player to input orders of magnitude of prizes to occur incorrespondence to kinds of symbols; and a controller operable torandomly determine transition to a special game, and, in a case oftransition to the special game, have a special prize occur subject to amatch between predicted orders input from the input device beforeexecution of the special game and orders of magnitude of prizes that canoccur in conjunction with kinds of symbols rearranged on the displaydevice.
 2. A slot machine comprising: a display device adapted to have aplurality of kinds of scatter symbols arranged thereon and set forprizes to be bigger as a number of the scatter symbols to be rearrangedis greater; an input device adapted for a player to input orders ofmagnitude of prizes; and a controller operable to randomly determinetransition to a special game, and, in a case of transition to thespecial game, have a special prize occur subject to a match betweenpredicted orders input from the input device before execution of thespecial game and orders of multitude in number of scatter symbolsrearranged on the display device.
 3. A slot machine comprising: adisplay device adapted to have a plurality of kinds of symbols arrangedthereon; an input device adapted for a player to input orders ofmagnitude of prizes to occur in correspondence to kinds of symbols; anda controller operable to randomly determine transition to a specialgame, and, in a case of transition to the special game, have a specialprize occur subject to a match between predicted orders input from theinput device before execution of the special game and orders ofmagnitude of prizes that can occur in conjunction with kinds of symbolsrearranged on the display device, and, when rearranging symbols on thedisplay device, have a symbol greatest of magnitude of prize rearrangedin advance of other symbols.
 4. A slot machine comprising: a displaydevice adapted to have a plurality of kinds of symbols arranged thereon;an input device adapted for a player to input orders of magnitude ofprizes to occur in correspondence to kinds of symbols; and a controlleroperable to randomly determine transition to a special game, and, in acase of transition to the special game, have a special prize occursubject to a match between predicted orders input from the input devicebefore execution of the special game and orders of magnitude of prizesthat can occur in conjunction with kinds of symbols rearranged on thedisplay device, and when rearranging symbols on the display device, havesymbols rearranged in orders of magnitude of prizes.
 5. A slot machinecomprising: a display device adapted to have a plurality of kinds ofsymbols arranged thereon; a first input device adapted for a player toinput orders of magnitude of prizes to occur in correspondence to kindsof symbols; a second input device adapted for a player to input aninstruction for game start; and a controller operable to randomlydetermine transition to a special game, taking the instruction inputfrom the second input device for game start as an occasion therefore,and, in a case of transition to the special game, have a special prizeoccur subject to a match between predicted orders input from the firstinput device before execution of the special game and orders ofmagnitude of prizes that can occur in conjunction with kinds of symbolsrearranged on the display device.
 6. A slot machine comprising: adisplay device adapted to have a plurality of kinds of symbols arrangedthereon; an input device adapted for a player to input orders ofmagnitude of prizes to occur in correspondence to kinds of symbols, ineither of a case of transition to a special game and a case of notransition; and a controller operable to randomly determine transitionto the special game, and, in a case of transition to the special game,have a special prize occur subject to a match between predicted ordersinput from the input device before execution of the special game andorders of magnitude of prizes that can occur in conjunction with kindsof symbols rearranged on the display device.
 7. A playing method for aslot machine, comprising the steps of: executing rearrangement of aplurality of kinds of symbols arranged on a display device; randomlydetermining transition to a special game, before execution of therearrangement; accepting, before execution of the rearrangement, aninput of orders of magnitude of prizes to occur in correspondence tokinds of symbols rearranged on the display device; and having a specialprize occur subject to a match between the orders input, in a case oftransition to the special game, before execution of the special game,and orders of magnitude of prizes that can occur in conjunction withkinds of symbols rearranged on the display device.
 8. A playing methodfor a slot machine, comprising the steps of: executing rearrangement ona display device, of a plurality of kinds of scatter symbols set forprizes to be bigger as a number to be rearranged is greater; randomlydetermining transition to a special game, before execution of therearrangement; accepting, before execution of the rearrangement, aninput of orders of magnitude of prizes; and having a special prize occursubject to a match between the orders input, in a case of transition tothe special game, before execution of the special game, and orders ofmultitude in number of scatter symbols rearranged on the display device.9. A playing method for a slot machine, comprising the steps of:executing rearrangement of a plurality of kinds of symbols arranged on adisplay device; randomly determining transition to a special game,before execution of the rearrangement; accepting, before execution ofthe rearrangement, an input of orders of magnitude of prizes to occur incorrespondence to kinds of symbols rearranged on the display device;having a symbol greatest of magnitude of prize rearranged in advance ofother symbols, when rearranging symbols on the display device; andhaving a special prize occur subject to a match between the ordersinput, in a case of transition to the special game, before execution ofthe special game, and orders of magnitude of prizes that can occur inconjunction with kinds of symbols rearranged on the display device. 10.A playing method for a slot machine, comprising the steps of: executingrearrangement of a plurality of kinds of symbols arranged on a displaydevice; randomly determining transition to a special game, beforeexecution of the rearrangement; accepting, before execution of therearrangement, an input of orders of magnitude of prizes to occur incorrespondence to kinds of symbols rearranged on the display device;having symbols rearranged in orders of magnitude of prizes, whenrearranging symbols on the display device; and having a special prizeoccur subject to a match between the orders input, in a case oftransition to the special game, before execution of the special game,and orders of magnitude of prizes that can occur in conjunction withkinds of symbols rearranged on the display device.
 11. A playing methodfor a slot machine, comprising the steps of: executing rearrangement ofa plurality of kinds of symbols arranged on a display device; accepting,before execution of the rearrangement, an input of orders of magnitudeof prizes to occur in correspondence to kinds of symbols rearranged onthe display device; accepting an input of an instruction for game start;randomly determining transition to a special game, taking theinstruction input for game start as an occasion therefore ; having aspecial prize occur subject to a match between the orders input, in acase of transition to the special game, before execution of the specialgame, and orders of magnitude of prizes that can occur in conjunctionwith kinds of symbols rearranged on the display device.
 12. A playingmethod for a slot machine, comprising the steps of: executingrearrangement of a plurality of kinds of symbols arranged on a displaydevice; randomly determining transition to a special game, beforeexecution of the rearrangement; enabling, before execution of therearrangement, an input of orders of magnitude of prizes to occur incorrespondence to kinds of symbols rearranged on the display device, ineither of a case of transition to a special game and a case of notransition; and having a special prize occur subject to a match betweenthe orders input, in the case of transition to the special game, beforeexecution of the special game, and orders of magnitude of prizes thatcan occur in conjunction with kinds of symbols rearranged on the displaydevice.